Transporting a big dog
- Thread starter Joebagel
- Start date
Robin
New Member
Does the dog get car sick? If not drive down with the dog
migtig
aka Mrs. Giant
I'd drive him down.
Animals are placed in the bag storage hold of airplanes. Most airplanes do not have those holds pressurized (sp?) to the same level as where passengers are. I've heard too many horror stories of animals dying or becoming ill due to the flight. You can double check with the actual airline you are looking at as to what kind of assurances they have in place, if you need your pet drugged and muzzled for the duratiuon of the flight (consider no water - and how quickly you dehydrate on a flight) and even if they'll let you go into the hold during the flight to check on the safety and comfort of your pet. However, the general premise is that it can be a very scary and very uncomfortable and unhealthy flight for your pet. Also check with your vet and ask for suggestions and advice.
I've driven my dog down to South GA and back before. We stopped in NC for potty break and water break and gas, did the same in mid GA. No problems.
Animals are placed in the bag storage hold of airplanes. Most airplanes do not have those holds pressurized (sp?) to the same level as where passengers are. I've heard too many horror stories of animals dying or becoming ill due to the flight. You can double check with the actual airline you are looking at as to what kind of assurances they have in place, if you need your pet drugged and muzzled for the duratiuon of the flight (consider no water - and how quickly you dehydrate on a flight) and even if they'll let you go into the hold during the flight to check on the safety and comfort of your pet. However, the general premise is that it can be a very scary and very uncomfortable and unhealthy flight for your pet. Also check with your vet and ask for suggestions and advice.
I've driven my dog down to South GA and back before. We stopped in NC for potty break and water break and gas, did the same in mid GA. No problems.
Nanny Pam
************
I take my dogs everywhere I go.
My Labradoodle just went to NC with me and back with me. No problem. I take a gallon of water and a bowl. Some food....not alot, because they tend to get car sick. I make a stop every 3 hours. But I could easily stretch it to 5 hours, and they'd be just fine.
go for it!
My Labradoodle just went to NC with me and back with me. No problem. I take a gallon of water and a bowl. Some food....not alot, because they tend to get car sick. I make a stop every 3 hours. But I could easily stretch it to 5 hours, and they'd be just fine.
go for it!
Last edited:
Nickel
curiouser and curiouser
My pup is 75 lbs (give or take), and I could never put him on a plane. 
His tummy gets a little upset on windy or bumpy roads, but I'd rather he barf in my car and hose it out than have him sit in his barf on a plane for God knows how long. Our vehicle has no carpet in the cargo area, and we have a pet divider. He gets to lay/sit/stand back there and enjoy the ride. The farthest I've driven with him is about 7 or 8 hours, but I'm sure MD to FL in a car is much more pleasant for a dog than in a plane.
onebdzee
off the shelf
my lab loves to ride in the truck with me....she sits in the passenger seat and I buckle her up for short rides...for longer rides she gets in the back seat and goes to sleep
my other dog, I have to NOT feed for 3 days, because by the time we get half mile down the road, she has thrown up 7 times
but, she likes to ride, alsoTalk to your vet about getting something to help your dog relax if he does not ride well, and drive with him. Alot of hotels have rooms that you can stay with your pets if you want to make it a 2 day trip. We have an 85lb yellow lab and I think he would freak out and die if left alone in a storage on a plane.
I drive back home once a year and take my dog. It's a 14 hour trip each way, and he does great. Any Red Roof Inn will take dogs, free of charge, just let them know when you make your reservation. Other hotels will take dogs too, such as some Holiday Inn Selects, but Red Roof Inn is the only chain I am personally aware of that all locations will take dogs no questions asked. I have found most hotel websites, for each specific location, will tell you their pet policies.
Good luck!
Good luck!
First off, 80 lbs isn't that big....
the main issue with flying with a dog isn't the pressurization. (not sure who fed that line) but with the temperature. If the dog is left on the tarmac for two long in 80 degree weather lets say... the tarmac can get as hot as 100 degrees or more. Many airlines will not allow dogs in the hold during summer months. This time of year should be fine here. Not sure about Florida.
if you fly, you need to buy your ticket early and mention the dog.... purchase an adequate kennel with water and food bowls that can be attached. Your vet can prescribe something to keep the pup calm... a flight to Florida (non stop I'm assuming) can't be longer than 3 hours... so total of 5 hours from check in to retrieval. different airlines have different policies. Go onto their website to find out. Also, if ANY leg of your journey is in a puddle jumper (smaller airplane) there's a chance that the hold won't be large enough for any dog.
Booboo3604
Active Member
My dog has severe seperation anxiety so there is no way I could ever stick him on a plane. However for extrememly long car rides, I usually ace him. Acepromazine is a mild tranquilizer and it also helps prevent nausea. Good for traveling. When I worked at a vet, we would give it to dogs prior to surgery to help calm them down. The vet I worked with also gave me some to give Tobey during thunderstorms as he would have SEVERE anxiety to the point he would chew his feet bloody so I just use it for long car rides as well.